Adoptee Reunion Story
I consider the greatest gift someone can give is life and for one parent to give a gift of adoption to parents, who either cannot have children of their own or want to unselfishly add another child to their home, is one of the biggest gift of love. I was lucky enough to witness a father and son adoption reunion and it was amazing all the way around.
For various reasons, pregnancy, a baby, and a family does not fit and is not the right timing. So choices are made. A choice made forty-eight years ago resulted in a baby boy (my husband) placed with a farm family in western Nebraska through Nebraska Children’s Home. Then the same baby boy made a similar choice twenty seven years later and gave the gift of adoption and love to another rural Nebraska couple.
During those many years, the father wondered what had become of his son. He hoped to eventually meet him, hoped and prayed that day would come. The son too also longed to one day meet his birth father who had written him letters when he was a baby.
Neither officially searched for each other, they were both quite happy with their lives, yet through a course of events and random contacts, the unbelievable happened. After reading this story I dare you to think of the course of life to be a random act of coincidences.
An Adoption Reunion Story Worth Telling
Randy (on the left, my husband) lived in a small apartment complex in Lincoln Nebraska. This small community of neighbors has provided each one acts of kindness in ranging from sharing meals, rides to the doctor, friendship, or just an encouraging word. This weekend Scott, who lives across the courtyard from Randy, called him over to tell him he had some news.
Scott was helping a buddy out with a car and through the course of this repair got a ride from Brandon (right). Scott was struck my this young man’s presence and appearance and said the commonly stated expression, “I know you from somewhere.”
The normal course of the conversation ensued, referring to places they lived, schools, churches, and people. It got around to Brandon stating “I don’t know, I’m adopted, all I know is my birth fathers’ name is Randy and he lives in Lincoln.”
It was then that Scott looked at Brandon and a said: “I know your Father, he lives across from me and you are his spitting image.” I can’t even imagine the thoughts and feelings that were going through their mind and heart. They both told me later it made them shake and their hearts race. Phone numbers were exchanged.
When Scott told this to Randy the feeling intensified. There was no doubt, no questioning in any of these three men. Each one believed that this good news was the truth. As Randy and I were fixing supper he received the phone call from his first born son who wanted to know his Father. They spoke for a short time, as it was obvious that both wanted to meet.
An invitation to supper was extended and less than an hour later Father and son walked across the yard, shook hands, and embraced for the first time. Both were shaking and tears were shed. The picture above was taken shortly after when they came to the door. The resemblance is uncanny, not just in appearances but in how much they are alike.
Both are amazing singers, sang in their University choirs, both took nine years of piano lessons, love to fish (and have made arrangements to go fishing), are very good cooks, and are avid movie buffs with a vast movie collection. At times they have only lived a few miles from each other.
Father and Son Update
Since I wrote this story father and son have developed a strong friendship. They hunt together, fish together and our families are connected in many ways. An antique farming disc belonging to my husbands family now sits in the garden at Brandon’s parents’ house, connecting the families together symbolically.
There are many connections between all of the families and no one feels threatened. It is an amazing relationship.
Christian View of Adoption
I know many people who are adopted, including my self. Some have the negative viewpoint that they were rejected by their birth parents. I look it at as the biggest unselfish gift a Mother (and Father) can give. I am thankful for life, for being given parents who wanted me enough to go above and beyond, to accept the gift of life from other parents who loved their child enough to give them a second chance.
Over the years I have often thought of looking for my own birth parents, if for only to say “Thank You.” Another choice could have been made, and I’m so glad it wasn’t.
I don’t believe in coincidence, but that God has a plan for our life. There are people placed in our lives for a reason, so the work of God can be displayed. This was also the lesson I shared with my Sunday School students this Sunday and part of Pastor’s sermon. There are events that happen to remind us of Christ unconditional love and forgiveness. We just need to open our eyes, believe, and have faith.
What lies in the future for these men is unknown, but they both know that this random meeting was not random, and both are embracing the amazing work of God.
Find Adopted Family Member
Whether you decide to search for your birth parents, siblings or child make sure you think it through, do research, and ask WHY are you searching. Is it because you are unhappy with your current lot in life because if so finding more people to insert into your world may complicate things, not solve the problem.
I went through periods, every time I was pregnant, where I was interested in health history. But when my babies were born that desire passed. Every now and then my kids ask me if I know my ethnic heritage and I can’t tell them. So, for them, I may consider it, before I get too old. (UPDATE: I did find an adoptive family member)
But regardless, every adoptee has a family and a Mother and Father who raised them. They are your true family.
Searching For Jane, Finding Myself (An Adoption Memoir)10 Critical Guidelines to Begin Searching for YourBirthright: The Guide to Search and Reunion forThe Adoption Reunion Survival Guide: Preparing Yourself for the Search, Reunion, and Beyond
Adoption Reunion Stories
Mother battling breast cancer helps adopted son find biological family
Finksburg woman’s 40-year search to find birth mother inspires book
Adoption reunion: Calgary woman meets her daughter after 39 years
Amazing Adoption Reunion Story, To Start Your Week Right …
Are you planning an adoption reunion? | Adoption Detective …
Dana says
That is very, very cool.
Bonnie Gunkel says
Well now that you have reduced me to a teary pile of goo…how amazing is this! God is so good!! I am so happy that he has reunited father and son. And how fortunate for you to be a part of that. Who knows…you might be next. 🙂 Congrats to all!
ndjmom says
It certainly has gotten me interested again in searching. I’m trying to find the paperwork I requested years ago. More updates to come as the blanks are filled in.
Mary Wolfe says
What a great story. It makes you realize that all is not coincidental and there is a reason and a purpose for everything.
shelli says
Wow. Thanks so much for sharing.
asappingfield says
As a birth mom myself this is truly an amazing story 🙂 thank you for posting this and also giving all other birth children and birth parents hope 🙂
ndjmom says
I’m glad you like it. Sometimes good things happen, even when you don’t know you really want it.
holly says
Beautiful story! I was adopted at birth and experienced a truly blessed union with my biological family a few years ago. I found out that I grew up just miles from my bio fam, and that my adoptive family and theirs have mutual friends through church! It is such an amazing gift from God. I’m glad that you have witnessed and experienced similar joy. Best of luck on your own search!
Haley says
What an amazing story! I’m just in process of reuniting with my biological father also. I’m blogging about it here: haleyandherfamilies.blogspot.com/. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
ndjmom says
I just read your entire blog and experience and am so happy for you. Your birth Father sounds a lot like Randy in how he approached the journey by letting Brandon set the pace. Looking forward to reading more about your journey.
Thanks for reading.
Ruth Cox says
What a fabulous story! It had to be an amazing re-union for this father and son.
3 Quarters Images says
It was pretty phenomenal, I was honored to have witnessed it. They are good friends now and talk several times a week.
norwichmumma says
how wonderful is that i cant even imagine what that would be like. just wow god dose amazing things
info@3QuartersToday.com says
Thanks for the comment, it is still pretty amazing.
clrwtrbiker says
Great story! An adoptee myself, I’ve always wondered about my birth parents, but never bothered looking until recently. My wife’s aunt got me started doing a family tree on Ancestry.com, and one day the bug popped into my head…what if I were to do a genetic family tree as well? For whatever reason, that thought really inspired me to begin seeking them out.
Hopefully, I’ll have a similar story to share in the near future.
lavenderbites says
“But regardless, every adoptee has a family and a Mother and Father who raised them. They are your true family.”
What if you don’t feel this way? I know many adoptees that feel they have no family. My adoptive father is in no way my real family. Just because he helped raise me doesn’t make him my father, much less my dad. Adopting doesn’t make someone a parent. BEING a parent makes someone a parent. As an adoptive parent myself I can only hope that I do a good enough job parenting that my son always considers me his mom.